Holy Joe: Joseph W. Folk and the Missouri Idea

A biography of Folk (1869-1923), who gained national acclaim for investigating corruption in local government while a district attorney. Along with muckraking journalist Lincoln Steffens, he revealed the extent of wrongdoing and helped establish the idea that public office was a trust rather than an opportunity for personal gain. He was elected governor of Missouri in 1904 and left a legacy of reform. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR